Image may contain: Plant, Food, Meal, Dish, and Lunch

© GQ Images

Live Well

Insider’s guide to the 24 best restaurants in Hyderabad

24 restaurants in Hyderabad that you just can't afford to miss

Ask any self-respecting Hyderabadi what their favourite dish is and they'll probably say biryani. That being said, the City of Pearls has got plenty of other culinary tricks up its sleeve, and anyone willing to look beyond the biryani (but not overlook it entirely, because, well, that's sacrilege) will find a plethora of cuisines and dining styles to suit every palate. So to help you navigate the many flavours of the city, we've put together a list of some of the best restaurants in Hyderabad (in no particular order).

These cover everything from authentic Hyderabadi and Andhra cuisines to Asian and even Polynesian food. If you're planning a visit soon, we advise wearing pants with an elastic waist.

1. Chicha's

Get a side serving of Hyderabadi Urdu with your food at Chicha's, one of the quirkiest restaurants in Hyderabad. The heirloom recipes have been passed down the generations, and come from the oldest Muslim households in the city. This means you can expect meat. And lots of it. The patthar ka gosht - tender mutton marinated overnight and cooked on a hot granite slab over charcoal - holds top honours on the menu, and a close second is the shaadi ka red chicken - a spicy, smoky number that's a staple at any local wedding - followed by the tender talawa gosht. Don't leave without trying the double ka meetha: the Hyderabadi version of bread pudding.

Address: 6-2-39, opposite Kun Hyundai, Lakdikapul (040-66567890)

2. Hotel Shadab

Do breakfast the Hyderabadi way and consume your calories early on in the day. At Hotel Shadab, join the ranks of locals who flock here for a bowl of the delectable nihari - a slow-cooked stew of the choicest pieces of mutton - with a little bone marrow thrown in for that extra punch. This is had with shirmal: a type of bread with a slightly sweet flavour that goes well with the spiciness of the nihari. If you've got the room, the mutton biryani should be next on your list. And finally, wash it all down with a glass of Irani chai, a tiny cup of pure, saccharine bliss.

Address: 21, opposite Madina Building, High Court Road, Ghansi Bazaar (07809766659)

3. Chutneys

This one's one of the rare all-vegetarian restaurants in Hyderabad and if it can make its mark in a meat-loving city, you can be sure it's pretty darned good. With all the regular South Indian suspects like idlis and dosas, Chutneys' ace in the hole is its... chutneys. All six of them. So good are these humble accompaniments to the main dish that diners are often spotted eating them by the spoonful. But since showing up to just eat chutney is rather ridiculous, we recommend ordering the soft and fluffy Babai Idli served with a dollop of fresh white butter. The paper-thin Plain Dosa, akin to a conical party hat, is also great to mop up the chutney with.

Address: Shilpa Arcade, Rd No 3, Banjara Hills (040-23358484)

4. Con?u and Con?u Cucina

The swanky little patisserie Con?u and its sister restaurant Con?u Cucina are the brainchild of Swati Taneja and her husband Sahil, a pastry chef who's doing everything right. The gourmet desserts are some of Hyderabad's finest and include showstoppers like the Russian Medovick, macarons in exotic flavours like Baiser with passion fruit and tonka bean ganache. At Con?u Cucina, you can expect Italian food that will make you feel like you're in a little cafe in Tuscany. The herbs are grown in-house and are used to prepare authentic fare like the Chicken Cannelloni, made with Cucina's artisan pasta, and the Mushroom and Scamorza Risotto, another must-try.

Address: 738, Road Number 37, Jubilee Hills (09985800031)

5. Shah Ghouse

What Shah Ghouse lacks in d?cor it more than makes up for in flavour. Greasy tables and time-worn (read: blackened) walls aside, this Hyderabadi institution in the heart of Old City has been around for so long for one reason: its biryani. The Special Mutton Biryani comes in a copper bowl that's piled so high it defies the laws of gravity. When paired with dahi ki chutney and mirchi ka salan, the biryani takes on a whole new level of fantastic. Insider tip: if you happen to be in Hyderabad during the holy month of Ramadan, Shah Ghouse makes some of the best haleem in town.

Address: Syed Ali Chabutra, Shalibanda (09392447098)

6. Haiku

As the sunlight streams into the airy dining space at Haiku, creating the perfect lighting for a profile picture, one is inclined to wait patiently for the food to come. Haiku does pan-Asian food that isn't just delicious, it's also MasterChef level chic. The Singaporean penang laksa (in veg and non-veg) is a heady concoction that's great for clearing up blocked sinuses, and the salt and pepper water chestnuts are a treat. Haiku also does some really good teppanyaki and sushi, if you're in the mood for Japanese. Try the crazy maki.

Address: Above Kaficko, opposite Volvo, Banjara Hills Rd #12 (07095876111)

7. Kabul Darbar

Deep within the dimly-lit dining room of one of the first Afghani restaurants in Hyderabad, black pathani-clad waiters bring out your food cooked by real Afghan chefs. If you try just one thing here, let it be the mutton rosh. Cooked for four hours in a secret mix of spices, the meat slides off the bone. Pair that with some rich Afghani naan and you're golden. If you're visiting in a large group, the mutton mandi will serve you well. Succulent, tender meat is served on a steaming bed of flavoured rice.

Address: 9-4-77/3/12, Old Mumbai Highway, Yousuf Tekri, opposite RTA Office, Toli Chowki (040-65583888)

8. Prost Brewpub

One of the first microbreweries in the city, Prost was destined for great things. Set up by a bunch of IITians, the Bangalore-based pub was brought to Hyderabad only a few years ago. The head brewer can sometimes be seen by the brewing machinery tinkering with the Belgian barley that is used in the beer here. Try a tasting platter for a teaser of the in-house beers like the Cider Rider and Hyd Hurricane. The buffalo wings go well with the beer, as do the overloaded nachos and the thin crust, hand-rolled, wood-fired pizzas.

Address: 882/A, 45th Rd, 45th Rd, Masthan Nagar, Silent Valley hills, Jubilee Hills (040-23556235)

9. The Pavilion-Drive In

Perfect for a round of post-clubbing bingeing, The Pavilion-Drive In is open till 4 am and serves a bunch of different kinds of food - from Indian and Italian, to Chinese. Although the vibe is reminiscent of a highway food-court (you know, like the ones on the way to Lonavala), the food more than makes up for it. The chicken gongura pulao at Pulao Paparao is tangy and satisfying, and the BBQ chicken pizza at Grab Italy is a treat.

Address: Plot No 1014/C, Rd No 51, Jubilee Hills (07702441470)

10. Olive Bistro

Hyderabad's Olive Bistro belts out some top-notch Mediterranean and continental food. The restaurant looks out over Durgam Cheruvu lake, making it the perfect place for a sundowner. Try the Moroccan-inspired prawn and charmoula spiced with smoked butter, the slow braised lamb, and pork belly rice. Round it all off with an OB Insanity Cake slice, and while you're there, hop over to The Hoppery, the on-site lounge, which is set inside a glass house and serves up brews.

Address: Road No 46, Jubilee Hills, At Kona's Durgam Cheruvu (040-69999127)

11. Jewel of the Nizam - The Minar

Opulent, turquoise-themed d?cor and gorgeous views aside, this is one of the restaurantss in Hyderabad that takes fine dining to a whole new level -- quite literally, since it is 100ft in the air. It serves classic Hyderabadi delicacies like varqui lukme, a flaky pastry stuffed with mince; marag, a reduced lamb broth; and the famous Hyderabadi khatti dal. End it all with khubani ka meetha, a stewed apricot dessert.

Address: The Golkonda Resort, Gandipet (040-30696938)

12. Syn Asian Grill & Bar

Some might scoff at the thought of great Japanese food at a five-star hotel, but Syn debunks any such theories. There's a live sushi and teppanyaki counter in the middle of the restaurant so you can watch what you eat, and if there's one place to safely try the sashimi in a landlocked city like Hyderabad, it's here. Try the dynamite maki, orange blossom maki, the Mexican roll, and give the fried prawns sesame on sticks a whirl.

Address: Taj Deccan, Road Number 1 (040-66523939)

13. OTM - Over the Moon

OTM is probably one of Hyderabad's most-loved bars, and parties go on until the wee hours of the morning. The food here gives it an edge over the other joints in town, though. The Cajun paneer skewers with walnut pesto are great to start things off with, followed by the lamb chops served in a red wine reduction. The buffalo chicken pizza is another hit. Insider tip: visit at dinner time and watch the sun set over the city from the rooftop restaurant, then hang out until the party really starts.

Address: 8th Floor, Daspalla Hotel, Road No. 37, beside Bajaj Electronics, Jubilee Hills (07032686862)

14. Celeste

Call in advance and book yourself some afternoon tea at Celeste, the Mediterranean and continental restaurant. You will be given a tour of the palace, once owned by the Nizam, and will then be treated to an elaborate spread of exclusive snacks like canapes and mini sandwiches. The assortment is always changing but they get it right every single time.

Address: Engine Bowli, Fatima Nagar, Falaknuma (040-66298585)

15. Fat Pigeon

This is where all the cool kids go before they head out for a night of heavy partying. The laidback vibe and live music performances on Fat Pigeon's upper deck make the perfect setting for a chilled-out evening. Appetizers here are the thing to order, so go wild. The cheddar and mozzarella cheese balls, Cajun batter-fried fish and murgh kofta kebab are crowd favourites, and you just can't miss grilled chicken sandwich pizza here.

Address: 1335/A, Rd Number 45, Jubilee Hills (09100666101)

16. The Roastery Coffee House

No prizes for guessing what the star of the show at The Roastery Coffee House is. Started by a couple of coffee lovers, the cafe's signature coffee is their cold brew -- a non-acidic decoction where the beans are brewed overnight in cold water. Their other bestsellers, made from single-estate coffee beans, are the Monsoon Malabar Pour Over, the Cappuccino and their Affogatos. They also make a mean chicken southwest burger and buffalo mozzarella roasted Vegetables, for when you get snacky.

Address: 18, 8-2-287/12, Road Number 14, BNR Colony, Venkat Nagar (06309590610)

17. Wai Kiki

While the ambience at Wai Kiki doesn't exactly scream tiki bar (no floral motifs or coconut skirts here), the Polynesian food will definitely transport you to an island in the Pacific Ocean. The menu is limited, but the portions are huge -- a nod to the Polynesian culture of family bonding over a shared meal. Try the island tidbits, a generous-sized platter with cheese balls, pork strips, crab Rangoon, and chicken satay, and the Polynesian Princess, a chicken, shrimp and vegetable concoction infused with a strong coconut flavour.

Address: Miyapur Road, Chhota Anjaiah Nagar, Gachibowli (040-67696769)

18. Dum Pukht Begum's

Lorde got it right. We'll never be royals. But that doesn't mean we can't eat like them once in a while. With recipes from the kitchens of Hyderabad's oldest royal families, Dum Pukht Begum's makes a case for eating dinner like a king. Many of the dishes, like the subz purdah, shahi nehari, and the iconic dum pukht biryani are slow-cooked in a sealed vessel - a method that enhances their flavours tenfold. And if you aren't feeling lavish enough yet, for dessert try the Badshah Kulfi pasand topped with gold leaf.

Address: Madhapur, ITC Kohenur, HITEC City (040-67660101)

19. Flying Spaghetti Monster

Once you're done giggling at the menu - the Seinfeld references will have you chortling out loud - you can turn your attention to the delicious food at the table. The Italian cuisine at Flying Spaghetti Monster is satisfying in a 'made with love by Nonna' kind of way. A lot of the ingredients are sourced all the way from Italy, and in dishes like the Salsa Jalape?o, Lasagne Napoletana and the Risotto Panna Picante, you can tell there's a little something special in there. Address: 5, Road no 3, Banjara hills, Beside IndusInd Bank (09966866652)

20. Palamuru Grill

Carry a handkerchief for this one. In true Telangana style, the food here takes things to a level that puts the Scoville scale to shame, so runny noses are par for the course. But though the food is spicy, the flavours still manage to find their way through. A good place to start is the kebabs, grilled right in front of you. Next, try the mutton Dhal Cha, a luscious daal infused with the intense flavour of well-cooked meat. After these teasers, you'll be ready to graduate to the Natukodi Stoneage Pulusu, one of Palamuru's finest. This spicy fish curry is cooked in stone pots to recreate the flavours of the village where the recipe originates. Address: 50, Ayappa Society, 100ft Rd, opp Meridian School, Madhapur (050-69990029)

21. Ohri's Tansen

If you can dine out at one the best restaurants in Hyderabad with a view of the iconic Hussain Sagar lake, consider it killing two birds with one stone. At Tansen - a Mughlai joint that's part of the true-blue Hyderabadi chain of Ohri's restaurants - you can do just that. Hot favourites here are the paneer dum roll, the ghee roast murgh cooked in Mangalorean spices, and the Maharashtra-inspired Saoji gosht. For dessert, try the creamy basundi or the Ohri's Special Jawzi Halwa - a revived Nizami recipe.

Address: Ohri's Jalavihar, Necklace Road (09866770504)

22. Ciclo Caf?

India's first cycling caf? chain, Ciclo Cafe offers much more than great food. Browse through some state-of-the-art bicycles and cycling equipment on the ground floor and make a mental note to exercise more and eat healthy before you head upstairs to the caf? and forget all about that. The kaffir lime chicken tikka, Cajun baby potato, lasagne lamb bolognese, the seekh kebab and the nachos are superlative. And then, if you start to feel guilty about eating everything in sight, you can consider cycling home.

Address: 801, Rd Number 36, CBI Colony, Jubilee Hills (07995991111)

23. Van Lavino

If you believe that dessert can be an entire meal and chocolate is a salad, then the folks at Van Lavino would be inclined to agree. A dessert caf? that specialises in all things sweet, it's the cr?pes here that have been gathering the masses. There's a very short window, though: the live crepes are only served between 11 and 11.30am. They serve other snacks as well because not everyone subscribes to the same faith, so if you need a break from the sugar, a classic alfredo pasta will suit the cause. Wash it all down with a nice Hot Chocolate that's served with a couple of fluffy marshmallows and then start the debauchery all over again with a bubble waffle, another current favourite.

Address: 4, Road No 36, Jubilee Hills (040-23559770)

24. Churrolto

As the name suggests, Churrolto belts out some of the best Spanish churros in town. The restaurant is a little small, so you may have to wait to be seated. But you'll soon find that it's worth it. The churros, covered in a fine cinnamon-sugar dust, are served hot and crispy with your choice of dip -- you'll be tempted to pick the Dark Nutella but we recommend the Espresso Choco Sauce. The churro ice cream sandwich is an interesting take on the original dessert and is worth a shot. And if you're looking for something a little more substantial, the quinoa red bean bowl is surprisingly tasty.

Address: 2-52/1/3, Hitech City Road, Phase 1, Megha Hills, Sri Sai Nagar, Madhapur (09701171768)


10 coolest things to do in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune this weekend


5 hot new bars and restaurants to be at this weekend

> More on Food

GQ Recommends

Live Well

Beer prices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata: Here are the updated prices 

Live Well
